Seville company constructed a mobile hydrogen-cell electrical plant

It will soon be shipped to the Netherlands and put into operation

Earlier this week, Juan Espadas, the mayor of Seville, paid a visit to the Free Zone of the Port of Seville, to get acquainted with a pilot plant for the production of electricity using waste hydrogen. The plant, which was developed in the framework of the European Grasshoper project is a product of the local Abengoa company.

Its main advantage is that it is the first on the market capable of operating in a dynamic, flexible, and versatile ways and with a significant cost reduction. In essence, the plant is small enough that it can be transported, easily assembled and dis-assembled thanks to its modular nature. Once its commissioning phase has ended it will depart for the Netherlands where it will be put to use at a chemical park, which produces hydrogen as a by-product of its operations.

Mobile, modular and scalable

In the opinion of the mayor, the Abengoa plant highlights Seville as a benchmark for the European Green Pact in terms of several of its central axes: the change of the energy model, the commitment to renewable energies and economic growth of the industry. Juan Espadas recalled that this entire line of work for the diversification and sustainability of our economy and the required public-private collaboration is part of the Seville 2030 Strategic Plan.  

He added: “We are facing a powerful work of research and technological innovation that reveals in all its dimensions the talent that exists in Abengoa company, which is a source of pride for Seville and Andalusia. In fact, this project, as back in its day were the innovative solar and thermosolar initiatives, once again places Seville as the protagonist of engineering applied to renewable energies.”

With the Grasshopper project (GRid ASsiSnting modular HydrOgen Pem PowER plant, or, in other words, PEM-type hydrogen cell power plant for grid balance assistance), a new generation of power plants is created, capable of operating dynamically, and able to adapt to the needs of the demand of the electricity grid.

This added value allows it to position itself in a very competitive position in the electricity reserve markets, once the pilot plant reaches a commercial operation level. The developers are already working on a larger-scale solution, which will allow its incorporation into the market almost immediately.

Another great benefit of the Abengoa plant is its modular nature, which makes it relatively easy to transport and connect it quickly, which is known as plug and play. Thus, Grasshopper presents the solution for the energy demand of remote places, which are not connected to the grid, such as camps or islands, or as an emergency generator for buildings, such as hospitals. Also, as a by-product, the plant generates heat, which can be used in industrial processes that require low temperatures, or for the supply of heating in residential areas.